The goal of treatment in inflammatory arthritis is to control the inflammation and decrease pain in the affected joints. This is called ‘treat to target’ and is similar to the approach used in treating other diseases. Various measures of disease activity are used to evaluate the severity of the disease, including joint counts and laboratory markers of inflammation.
Inflammatory arthritis treatment consists of different medication regimens and exercises. Most treatments are conservative and aim to improve quality of life for the patient, without relying on the use of opioids or surgery. A medical specialist will evaluate the patient’s health and age and will determine the best treatment plan for them.
The goal of inflammatory arthritis treatment is to control inflammation and pain, as well as prevent the disease from progressing. Various medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, can help reduce pain and inflammation in the joints. Other treatments, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, may be necessary. Surgical treatment is also required if the disease is advanced.
People with inflammatory arthritis should understand that it can affect any age and can get worse quickly. Luckily, new medications and advanced treatment methods have drastically improved the treatment options for people with this condition.